Burying Fear

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is a familiar parable, but something new hit me this time that I never considered. In verse 24-25, when the master returns and asks for an accounting of the talents he gave to each servant, the man given one talent told him he buried it in the […]

Prayer Journey—Our Best

“Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them.” – Numbers 18:29 (NASB) Dear Lord, help us to discern each day what is the best we can offer you from the gifts you have given us. May we use […]

Tearful Sowing

The field looked barren, soil beaten down by many who had trampled it in the past. Its fruit was long gone, taken by the greedy. There was nothing left, no hope of a crop ever producing again. Then I saw him. A man in the distance, walking slowly in the field, waving his hand back […]

Haves and Have Nots

In Matthew 13-1-23, Jesus tells the parable of the sower then explains the parable to his disciples. In between the telling of the parable and the explanation, Jesus said, “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be […]

Prayer Journey — Faithful Sowers

You dear God are the source of wisdom, of truth. I praise you for your Word that you have given to us — for the faithful who have passed it to us across the generations. I am forever grateful for the obedience of so many followers of Jesus who have taught me and nurtured me […]

Prayer Journey — Sower

I have turned the soil
Shovel by shovel
Tilled the land

One by one
I sowed seeds
In fertile ground…

The Fruit of Perseverance

The parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15 tells of the word of God falling on different soil types. It is one thing to be a seed in good soil, but another thing to germinate, grow and mature.

Seeding the Gospel in Small Ways

A friend of mine has been in ministry for more than 40 years. Recently we were together and I relished hearing him tell about how several people he impacted with his ministry over the decades were now coming together to create a new ministry that he would lead. It reminded me of the parable of […]

Prayer Journey — God’s Purpose In Season

I feel scattered, tossed upon fertile soil. The master gardener tells me I have been purposely positioned in this specific spot. Yet I feel out of place in this cool, moist soil. I question if anything can grow here as snow flurries cover me with a chilling wind. I pray to God for strength, seeking […]

Kneading God into the Lives of Others

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and yeast. But what strikes me about this illustration are the words “planted” and “mixed”. It is one thing to have a mustard seed or yeast, but another thing to use them to impact the lives of others.